Thailand has over 1,000 miles of mainland coastline bordering the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. With thousands of islands, there are many miles of beautiful beaches. Lying between 5 Degrees and 13 Degrees north, the climate is tropical and the beaches are palm fringed, with pristine white sand, crystal waters and superb coral reefs.

Phuket and its surrounding islands comprise one of the most spectacular sailing grounds in the region, with beautiful beaches, crystal clear waters and a geography that is stunning. Lying in the Andaman Sea, Phuket is Thailand’s second most popular tourist destination after Bangkok, and the country’s wealthiest province. Whether it be cruising, island hopping, climbing, fishing, diving, shopping, or just lying on a beach, Phuket and surrounds have something to offer everyone

Phuket Island, the largest island in Thailand, is 50km long and connected to the mainland by Sarasin and Thepkrasattri Bridges at the northern tip. Phuket’s tropical coastline consists primarily, on the west coast, of sandy bays divided by rocky peninsulas, with on the East coast, some more sheltered areas featuring large expanses of mudflats and mangroves. Running almost half the length of the island, separating east from west, is a ridge of mountains, passable by road at certain locations. At the higher elevations, parts of the mountains are still covered by jungle and small areas of tropical forest, the largest single area being Khao Phra Thaew forest reserve in the northeast of the island.

The Island had many names in its history, before settling on the present name of Phuket, and has a unique culture as a result of Chinese, Portuguese and Malay influences, along with smaller groups such as the semi-nomadic sea gypsies (chao ley) and modern day tourists and expats. Traders from Arabia, India, Malaysia, China and Portugal sailed to Phuket, exchanging goods for locally produced rubber and tin. Some settled here, and most left their mark in the island’s architecture (visible in Phuket City), culture and religion.

Phuket’s warm winter climate is one reason that a few million tourists visit Phuket each year, it is too far south to be affected by Typhoons and the sea temperature rarely varies from 28 Degrees. The northeast monsoon wind blows from November to April bringing with it clear, sunny skies and an average temperature of 30-32 Degrees C. Known as the rainy season, the Southwest monsoon runs from May to October and with it comes higher humidity, fluctuating temperatures and intermittent squally rain showers. The hottest months are April through May when temperatures can get up to a sticky 36 Degrees C with frequent short heavy thundery showers, offering welcome relief from the temperature and humidity. The Thai New Year occurs on April 13th and everyone sprinkles (or throws) cool water on each other. The rainiest months are September and October.

Locals enjoy June, July and August, since the weather is usually fine and our favorite haunts remain un crowded. The usual pattern is brief but heavy showers, with plenty of sunshine between downpours. Everything is a little less expensive at this time of year, as well.

Boating in Thailand has really taken off since the reduction of taxes on the importation of boats from triple digits to just 7% VAT and Phuket has become the premiere yachting destination in Asia, hosting the annual "Kings Cup Regatta", “Phuket Race Week” and the more laid back “Bay Regatta”

There are now four Marinas on Phuket Island, the "Yacht Haven Marina" at the north of Phuket, the new "Ao Po Grand Marina", the "Royal Phuket Marina" and the " Phuket Boat Lagoon" as well as a new Marina under construction at in Chalong Bay, in addition there are the anchorages in Chalong Bay and Ao Yon used by cruising yachts and locals alike.

Add to that the renowned friendliness of the Thai people, their magnificent cuisine and culture − and Thailand has deservedly become Asia’s premier cruising destination.

Phuket's historydates back to 1025 AD. The island's present name derives its meaning from the Tamil word, Manikram, or Crystal Mountain.

However, for the greater part of the last millennium, Phuket was known as Junk Ceylon, which, with variations, is the name found on most old maps. The name is thought to have its roots in Ptolemy's Geographia, written by the
Alexandrian geographer in the 3rd century AD. He mentioned that in making a trip from Souwannapum to the Malay Peninsula, it was necessary to pass the cape of Jang Si Lang.

Phuket was a way station on the route between India and China for seafarers to stop for shelter. The island appears to have been part of the Shivite Empire (called the Tam Porn Ling in Thai) that established itself on the Malay Peninsula during the first millennium AD. Later, as Muang Takua-Talang, it was part of the Srivichai and Siri Tahm empires. Governed as the eleventh in a constellation of twelve cities, Phuket's emblem, by which it was known to others, in those largely pre-literate times, was the dog.

During the Sukothai Period, Phuket was associated with Takua Pa, in what is now Phang Nga Province, and another area with vast tin reserves. The Dutch established a trading post during the Ayuthaya Period of the 16th century. The island's northern and central regions were governed by the Thais, and the southern and western parts were given over to the tin trade, a concession in the hands of foreigners.

After Ayuthaya was sacked by the Burmese in 1767, there was a short interregnum in Thailand, ended by King Taksin, who drove out the Burmese and re-unified the country. The Burmese, however, were anxious to return to the offensive. They outfitted a fleet to raid the southern provinces, and carry off the population to slavery in Burma.
This led to Phuket's most significant historic event. A passing sea captain, Francis Light, sent word that the Burmese were en route to attack. Forces in Phuket were assembled by two heroines, Kunying Jan, wife of the recently deceased Phuket governor, and her sister, Mook, After a month's siege, the Burmese were forced to depart on 13 March, 1785. Kunying Jan and her sister were credited with the successful defense.

In recognition, King Rama I bestowed upon Kunying Jan the honorific Thao Thepkrasatri, a title of nobility usually reserved for royalty. Her sister became Thao Srisunthorn.

During the 19th century, Chinese immigrants arrived in such numbers to work for the tin mines that the ethnic character of the island's interior became predominantly Chinese, while the coastal settlements remained populated chiefly by Muslim fishermen.

In Rama V's reign, Phuket became the administrative center of a group of tin mining provinces called Monton Phuket, and in 1933, with the change from absolute monarchy to a parliamentary system, the island was established as a province by itself.

Phuket Boat Lagoon is located midway along Phuket’s East coast. The entrance to the channel is at Lat 07 58.65 N Long 098 24.9 E. The channel is well-marked by concrete posts and takes approx. 45 minutes to navigate at 4 knots. The channel is not lit, so night entries should be left to the experienced. The marina basin is dredged to 3.5–4 meters and the maximum LOA is 35 meters. The marina includes 168 serviced berths with water, electricity, fuel dock, 60 ton travel lift, hard-stand area for 80 vessels, stack storage for 60 speedboats and a concrete boat ramp. Showers and changing rooms are also available.
The marina complex surrounding the basin is well developed with a hotel/resort, condominiums, serviced apartments, restaurants, a bakery, shops and offices. Phuket Boat lagoon is currently the centre of Phuket’s marine services industry offering chandlery, repair and maintenance, yacht management, brokerage plus on-site workshops.

Yacht Haven Marina is located on the North coast, lying in a natural channel between Phuket Island and the mainland to the North. The channel is entered from the West through Phang Nga Bay. Minimum depth in the channel at low tide is 2.5 meters. Yacht Haven has 158 serviced berths with single or 3 phase power; water and fuel are available. Vessels up to 60 meters can be accommodated. Depths in the marina range from 2.5 - 5.0 meters at low tide. Shore-side facilities include showers, changing rooms, phone, fax and Internet, bars and restaurants.
In-water marine services offered are repair and maintenance, provisioning, and yacht management. Yacht Haven is in a peaceful location surrounded by scenic views and is only 15 minutes from Phuket’s international airport.

Located on Phuket’s East coast, access to the Royal Phuket Marina is by the same channel as that of the Phuket Boat Lagoon – same access details and depths apply. Part way along the channel and easily visible, just before the last shallow corner it branches off into the new Royal Phuket Marina’s outer basin. This is a tidal basin and is surrounded by the main facilities in the marina, including a commercial area with shops, condominiums, alfresco restaurants and private villas with their own berths in front. The fuelling dock is on your starboard on entry and just inside is the transient berth, directly in front of the harbour masters office.

Phuket’s newest Marina
Entrance at Lat 08 Degrees 04’075 N and 98 Degrees 26” 739 E with protected marina entry.
Located on the Northeast coast of Phuket, in a private bay just North of Ao Po at the gateway to Phang Nga Bay sailing area.
24-hours access and zero tide restrictions for all yachts.
200 berths (for boat lengths up to 80+ meters).
Deep water all tide access fuel dock with ample docking space.
Boat ramp with launching facilities available for trailer able boats.
Haul-out and hard stand facilities available with 47T Roodberg Hydraulic Trailer.

There are also a number of slipways on the river in Phuket City, a popular one being:Ratanachai SlipwayTel: +66 (0) 7625 2852Fax: +66 (0) 7621 2443Email:info@ratanachai-slipway.com
www.ratanachai-slipway.com

Ratanachai Slipway is Phuket's main commercial shipyard, offering full repair and maintenance services of all types of vessels. The yard slips boats, utilizing railway cars for vessels up to 35 meters and 180 tons. The yard is located on the outskirts of Phuket City on the river between Koh Sirey and Phuket. Despite a tricky entrance, Ratanachai Shipyard handles many yachts and has full service and maintenance facilities on-site including make and repair machine shop, welding, carpentry work, fiberglass work and painting. Engine repairs, refits and building are also available. Other yards in the river between Koh Sirey and Phuket tend to be a little cheaper and more used to dealing with commercial boats although this is fast changing.

In the neighboring region, there are a variety of marinas and yacht clubs which are ideal stopovers on the way to and from Phuket, or as a stopover on an extended cruise. In Langkawi, for example, is the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club, and in Singapore Raffles Marina and the Republic of Singapore Yacht Club.